A composition for lubricating and/or descaling in the hot processing of metals includes a solid mixture containing the following constituents: (a) 20 to 60% by weight of condensed alkali phosphate, (b) 10 to 40% by weight boron compound selected from borosilicate glass, boric acid, boric acid salt, or a mixture thereof, (c) 10 to 30% by weight alkali or alkaline earth sulphates, (d) 5 to 25% by weight fatty acid, fatty acid salt, or a mixture thereof. The sum of the constituents (a) and (b) constitutes at least 50% by weight of the mixture and the sum of the constituents (a) to (d) constitutes at least 85% by weight of the mixture.

A metalworking fluid includes a pH buffer system having one or more organic acids and one or more organic amines. The organic acids, which include aromatic carboxylic acids and C.sub.10 or higher aliphatic carboxylic acids, may replace boric acid, such that boric acid may be excluded from the metalworking fluid. The organic acids may include at least one of phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and terephthalic acid. The one or more organic amines include aliphatic and aromatic amines having an amine value of at least 50 mg KOH/g. A method of using the metalworking fluid includes shaping a metal by contacting the metal surface with a tool while cooling and lubricating at least one of the metal surface or tool with the metalworking fluid.

A metalworking fluid includes a pH buffer system having one or more organic acids and one or more organic amines. The organic acids, which include aromatic carboxylic acids and C.sub.10 or higher aliphatic carboxylic acids, may replace boric acid, such that boric acid may be excluded from the metalworking fluid. The organic acids may include at least one of phthalic acid, isophthalic acid, and terephthalic acid. The one or more organic amines include aliphatic and aromatic amines having an amine value of at least 50 mg KOH/g. A method of using the metalworking fluid includes shaping a metal by contacting the metal surface with a tool while cooling and lubricating at least one of the metal surface or tool with the metalworking fluid.

A lubricant or lubricant additive composed of halogen-, phosphorus- and sulphur-free ionic liquids containing fatty acid anions exhibit superior friction-reducing and anti-wear properties. Preferably, the lubricant composition comprises a base oil and an ionic liquid or mixed of two or more ionic liquids having concentration of 0.5 wt. % or more. These halogen-, phosphorus- and sulphur-free ionic liquids as lubricant or lubricant additive have minimal hazardous and corrosion effect to the environment and engineering surfaces, respectively. General chemical formula of fatty acid anion is represented as RCOO.sup.; whereas R may be C.sup.4 to C.sup.30 straight chain alkyl, branched alkyl, cycloalkyl, alkyl substituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkyl substituted alkyl, alkenyl (single or more double bonds) includes with or without branched structure and may contain heteroatom.